ShopSmart was able to order more than 50 items in a few hours of online searching.

But it warns of some potential pitfalls.

Potential Problem No. 1: No-Shows

No-shows were a problem.

About half the freebies had not arrived 10 weeks after they'd been ordered.

Potential Problem No. 2: Email Spam

Another problem was a flood of email marketing pitches clogging your inbox.

Consumer Reports says to set up a separate email address just for freebie shopping.

Potential Problem No. 3: Getting Charged

Another tip: when shopping for freebies, keep your credit card in your wallet.

"Shipping should be free, so there is no reason to give your credit card information. If they ask you to give your card number, don't do it," said Rohlena.

If you have to use your credit card to get something free or to try out a trial size product, you might be signing up for automatic payment withdrawals from your credit card that last at least a year, unless you cancel the deal within 30 days.

So make sure you read the fine print on the paperwork that comes with the product so you don't waste your money.